m contentment with what I have
already got. Such swerving does not seem to be good. I shall keep myself
united with truth!'"'"[201]

SECTION XXI

"'Yudhishthira said, "Tell me why had that lady no fear of Ashtavakra's
curse although Ashtavakra was endued with great energy? How also did
Ashtavakra succeed in coming back from that place?"

"'Bhishma said, "Ashtavakra asked her, saying,--'How dost thou succeed in
altering thy form so? Thou shouldst not say anything that is untrue. I
wish to know this. Speakest thou truly before a Brahmana.'

"'"The lady said, 'O best of Brahmanas, wherever thou mayst reside in
heaven or on Earth, this desire of union between the sexes is to be
observed. O thou of infallible prowess, listen, with concentrated
attention, to this all. This trial was devised by me, O sinless one, for
testing thee aright. O thou of infallible prowess, thou hast subjugated all
the worlds for not foregoing your previous resolution. Know that I am the
embodiment of the Northern point of the compass. Thou hast seen the
lightness of the female character. Even women that are aged are tortured by
the desire of sexual union. The Grandsire himself and all the deities with
Indra have been pleased with thee. The object for which thy illustrious
self has come here (is known to me). O foremost of regenerate persons, thou
hast been despatched higher by the Rishi Vadanya--the father of thy
bride--in order that I may instruct thee. Agreeably to the wishes of that
Rishi I have already instructed thee. Thou wilt return home in safety. Thy
journey back will not be toilsome. Thou wilt obtain for wife any girl
thou hast chosen. She will bear thee a son. Through desire I had
solicited thee, thou madest me the very best answer. The desire for
sexual union is incapable of being transcended in the three worlds. Go
back to thy quarters, having achieved such merit. What else is there that
thou wishest to hear from me? I shall discourse on it, O Ashtavakra, in
accordance with the truth. I was gratified by the Rishi Vadanya in the
first instance for thy sake, O regenerate ascetic. For the sake of
honouring him, I have said all this to thee.'"

"'Bhishma continued, "Hearing these words of hers, the regenerate
Ashtavakra joined his hands in a reverential attitude. He then solicited
the lady for her permission to go back. Obtaining the permission he came
back to his own asylum. Resting himself for some time at home and
obtaining the